California Dreaming

*From the Get Down Lounge...a little late, or early!

*Anyone considering a road trip--check that--the road trip, to see California Chrome go for the Triple Crown in New York after he wins the Preakness tomorrow?  Oh sure he could get out of gate slow, and yes there are some speed horses....but with only 9 horses entered in the field, CA Chrome is good to go.  What is up with horses coming in and out of the triple crown races?  It looks to me like the Chrome's competition waiting for he Belmont.  Oh well, quite a story for this stud from Coaling Station A (that's Coalinga for you non Californians!).  And their off....

*Fifty years ago they broke ground on the O.Co;  40 years ago the old gal hosted the I-5 Series; 25 years ago it was the Bay Bridge Series;  I would think the formerly named Oakland-Alameda Coliseum deserves one more shining moment in the sun?  Maybe Sonny Gray is just the man to bring it home?  The four best records in the bigs as of today:   The Tigers, Brewers, Giants and A's!

*Why does Oakland in general receive such little love and respect?  When people speak of the great baseball teams, the Big Red Machine sure gets tons of love for their two titles in the 70's.  Ironic--don't you think--the Red's lost to the Swinging A's in 1972.   I believe people don't want to acknowledge the late Charlie O was the greatest owner the last 50 years!

*Well, well, well, even the NFL draft gives Oakland football fans some hope.  Not many people had Khalil Mack falling to the 5th spot--and because the Texans weren't going to experience another Carr saga, Derek Carr ends up a Raider.  Wow.  CenCal is strong Raider territory, and it just experienced a kick start.  There will definitely be some Red Wavers (Fresno State followers) making the trek to Otown.  Funny, it wasn't that long ago that Singletary led Niners were not very good....like I mentioned above, doesn't the O.Co deserve a few more glorious memories?  December 7 should be fun--crazy--but fun!  On that day the Niners cross the Bay!

*Winner of Day 1 of the NFL draft--I had the Rams, taking a mammoth offensive lineman, than grabbing the best defensive lineman on the board.  Day 2 and 3, well, it looked to my like the Texans did OK for themselves. The Browns, or the Johny Browns?  I just don't see it--and Bortles was a surprise coming off the Board at #3.

*The W's....man, E Gods as my father would say.  Steve Kerr, man was he loved at Arizona, and has had a great career.  Why in the world would he want to leave his job as an NBA analyst to coach?  This just looks and smells baaaaddddd.  The owner and GM have already thrown the previous GM, Larry Riley, along with Coach Jackson, in front of the Bart train.  As I like to say, if it winning was that easy in pro sports, then why can't the Cubs hoist the trophy--speaking of the Cubbies, I would love to see former Golden Domer Jeff Samargia end up with the A's for the stretch run!!

*One Larry Riley story.   The man is a gentleman an a basketball lifer.  I once met him at a junior college basketball game in California--he was one of about 50 people in the stands--totally unnoticed, just blending in the crowd.  Seems to me like the Warriors are paying it backwards!

*Sharks fans, man, I empathize.  Ish.  Well, the World Cup is near, and after all, aren't Hockey and Soccer similar sports?  Roll, roll, Port-u-gal!!

*By the way, if the A's can't move, why don't the Raiders move to San Jose?  I'm just saying....

*To Derek Carr and Josh Reddick I raise my glass.  To Carr, because he represents hope--to Red Dog as I like to call him, for having the fortitude to use any Wham tune as a walk up song in Oakland.  See Derek, good times often come from places you just don't see coming!  Maybe Careless Whispers will be the O.Co's swan song?  (By the way Red Dog went off tonight in Cleveland!)

*Visalia Rawhide won for the 7th time in a row this evening--if you live in the area, and enjoy baseball, you really owe it to yourself to check out Rawhide Ballpark. You will not be disappointed, in fact I would wager 3-5 you will be back!

**Don't forget to follow twitter:   100percent3G!

*My man Timmy C in GTown Mass, I hope you had a great Birthday--your present will be in the mail next week.